Scientists and Technologists from Kansas

Kansans have been involved in a variety of scientific and technological endeavors including inventing the microchip, discovering a planet, and groundbreaking research in botany. Several Kansans have been honored with Nobel Prizes, among other prestigious awards, for their work in science and technology.

Agricultural developments created in the state became a boon for Kansas farmers and led to the growth of the agricultural industry. Aviation pioneers took advantage of ideal flying conditions to begin design and production of aircraft, placing Kansas at the forefront in the industry. Technological developments helped to grow the oil and gas refining industry in the state.

Medicine

Kansas men and women have played a strong role in the field of medicine in the state and beyond its borders. Kansans have led the way as medical doctors, psychiatrists, dentists, nurses, and in medical research. As a result of these efforts, Kansas has become a national leader for its role in the fields of biosciences.

William Gavitt built a patent medicine company, headquartered in Topeka, which sold "Gavitt's System Regulator." According to one Topeka newspaper, this "great discovery" would "absolutely cure all kidney, liver, stomach and blood diseases."

Arthur Hertzler wrote a popular best seller entitled The Horse and Buggy Doctor (1938) in which he gave a personal account of his experiences as a country doctor during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Dr. C. F. Menninger became interested in mental illness in 1920 after his eldest son Karl completed a medical degree at Harvard. Dr. C. F. and Dr. Karl received psychiatric training and in 1925, when Dr. Will joined the family practice, the Menningers added a psychiatric hospital to their Topeka clinic. Within a few years, they had built an internationally known treatment and training center.

Natural Sciences

George Washington Carver found over 300 uses for the peanut. Among Carver's many inventions were a way of turning soybeans into plastic, wood shavings into synthetic marble, and cotton into paving blocks. He also disseminated his extensive agricultural research to farmers through conferences and demonstrations.

Goodnow helped in the establishment of Bluemont College, a Methodist institution. Perhaps Goodnow's greatest contribution to the educational climate of Manhattan was his work in locating the Kansas Agricultural College there. The building and grounds of Bluemont College were donated to the state to serve as the foundation for the new institution, which has developed into the present-day Kansas State University.

William Marion Jardine achieved an outstanding reputation for his work in agricultural education that extended far beyond the borders of the state. As a result, in 1925, President Calvin Coolidge appointed him secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture, a position he held for the next four years.

Geology and Archeology

Lagerbom lived in a tent in the Trans Antarctic Mountains during the summer of 1990-1991, going as far south as anyone can go on earth.

Wallace Pratt

Born in Phillipsburg, Wallace Pratt graduated from the University of Kansas and began working for the Kansas Geological Survey. In 1918 he joined Humble Oil & Refinery as the company's first geologist. He joined Standard Oil in 1937 where he worked until his retirement in 1945. Pratt helped advance the oil industry in applying geology in identifying the location of oil deposits, and encouraging the use of geophysical instruments.